The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-09
THE TELEGRAPH MONOPOLY
Mr.. Garrett Talks Loudly and Threatens
Legal Contest with Jay Gould,
But the General Impression Is that the Latter
Has Firm Grip on the Baltimore & Ohio
Lines and Will Retain Full Control.

New YORK, Oct S-The statement in q
morning paper to the effect that Robert Garrett,
referring to the absorption Of the Baltimore &
Ohio telegraph line by the Western Union, said
.It's no trade, gentlemen" caused considerable
talk to-day. but excitement Western Union
went off a point. but that not attributed to
Mr.. CARROTS alleged denial of the sale. Mr..
George Gould treated the story lauehingly. He
did not believe Mr.. Garrett was correctly onoted.
although the collateral has not been turned
over, the agreement has been sieued and is in
our possession. There Is no Baltimore & Ohio
telegraph now, as their wires are part
OF our system" Mr.. Gould also de-
that the B. & O. owed Mr.. Garrett personally
between SO. 000. 900 and 81. 900. 900. Mr.. w. B.
lied to say that Dr. Norvin Green did not be-
lieve the story add that Dr. Green was SO con-
fident that there would DO trouble about the
sale that he had decided to issue statement
about the matter. contrary to his original inten-
ton. "No slight was intended to Mr. Garrett"
continued Mr.. Scmerville. ..by closing the sale
was to prevent the possibility of injunction
being obtained by which the sale would be de-
ferred. Any holder of Western Union stock
hundred shares could have made any amount
of trouble"
Mr.. sOmervills was asked i Mr.. Garrettcould
could not" he replied. "we bought the lines
from the Drexel-Morgan syndicate. who
the legal custodans Of the property and fully
empowered to sell. We have the property safe
and sure. If Mr. Garrett said that the Balti-
moro & Ohio owes him So. DOC. 000 and the state
ment is true the officers OF the Baltimore &
Ohio have made a false report. The telegraph
company might owe him something if he owned
the railroad entirely. but he docs not. The Bal
timore & Ohio still have the privilege Of using
certain OF the lines, but all will be peaceaby
ranged, you may be sure. If he anticipated any
trouble, Mr.. Jay Gould would NOT be out of town
until Monday"
say whether the great telegraph deal has been
legally completed not
Mr. Stokes sat in his private Office at the Hoff-
man. this morning when a reporter accosted
him the subject of Mr. Garrett's threats the
night before. He was asked this question: ibid
Mr. Garrett say to yon last night that there
would be no deal with the Western Union"
He said there would be fun somewhere He
without stin. If there had been trade, he
said. it would not hold water"
did he threaten to sue Mr. Gould?"
Eyes, he threatened all sorts of things He
said that he had been sold out by his friends.
saw him so excited. He declared that snap
Judgment had been taken on him when he was
away, but that the conspirators would find that
their plans would not hold"
did you have any dealings with Mr.. Garrett
in reference to the B. & Q. telegraph linesq"
Yes, good many. When Mr.. Garrett went
deal believed that we had about effected CONSOLE
dation Of the Baltimore e Ohio the Postal and
the United Lines telegraph companies. If Gar
rett had done as he promised to do, the Western
Union would never pay another dividend"
What was the promisel"
IAN agreement to the consolidation. We
were to capitalize the stock at $40, 900. 600. Mr..
John W. Mackay was to put in 81, 900, 900. Mr..
Garrett 81 000, 900, and tho stock of the company
woulc make up the 500. 600, 900"
Have you any idea why Garrett failed to
keep his wordw
mot tho slightest. He went off to Europe,
aud that ended the matter"
lis it probable that the Western Union will
now swallow up the United Lines and postal
mo: / ought to know something about that.
and will have something to say when the
attempt is made We are not for sale"
What is your personal opinion Of the Balti-
more & Ohio sale2"
Il think that Gould has the lines or, If he
has not. he has such big slice that he will
soon get the rest He's got the longest pole
now. and guess he will get the persimmons."
'Do you think that Mr.. Garrett was in earnest
when he was talking last night?o
"He was, or was more deceived by a mans
actions than l ever was before. He looked
angry enough to fight and when he said he
would make the fur fly. he looked capable of it."